Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters they belong to Stephenie Meyers; I just like to use the characters for my own twisted amusement.
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Fool Me Twice Chapter 8 – June Part 2
I stood immobilized just staring at the tiled floor unable to lift my head up, I was finding it very difficult to breath as if someone was restricting the oxygen getting to my lungs, I could actually hear the clock ticking across the large room.
"Bells?" My dad's voice sounded suddenly strained all the anger that had been in his voice previously gone instead his voice held a hint of desperation. His voice was the thing that made me look into his face and what I saw nearly killed me. No one expects to see their parent with tears in their eyes and their face looking so old and tired that it almost kills you, but that is what I noticed.
My dad always seemed to look younger than his actual age, his dark hair was gone it was streaked with grey; his eyes which were a similar chocolaty brown to mine seemed almost dull and lifeless. This man who stood in front of me looked nothing like the man who had kicked me out of his house, this man looked like he had the troubles of the whole world resting on his shoulders and I knew it was entirely my fault.
"Hey dad." I managed to croak out, I had a lump in my throat that just would not budge and was getting larger by the minute.
"Is it really you?" He choked out, stepping a little closer to me his arm slowly coming out and he hesitated before he rested his hand on my arm. I felt his hand shake slightly on my arm and I realised he was as nervous as I was.
Without thinking about what I was doing, I wrapped my arms around him, and then buried my head in his chest and gave into my feelings and openly started to sob.
His arms curled around my back and he held me close to him I could feel his body shake against mine with his own sobs. He kissed my head a few times murmuring how I had finally come back to him then his voice became clearer as he sobbed, "I've finally got my baby back."
The sorrow he felt was so evident in his voice that it almost killed me and I cried even harder.
I don't know how long we were stood holding on to each other but when the tears finally started to subside I realised we had somehow been manoeuvred into his office and the door had been shut behind us to give us some privacy.
He held me so tightly that I struggled for breath, while whispering how much he had missed me. What a fool he was for just letting me go the way he did and how he should have come after me once he realised what a liar and trouble causer Leah actually was, but pride and ultimately fear stopped him.
After the tears had finally subsided, he passed me the box of tissues on his desk. I took one and blew into it making very un-lady like noises, as he continued to gently stroke my hair, the look on his face telling me how sorry he was, I knew despite the pain he had caused me that he was forgiven.
"Will you come home with me?" He whispered quietly in my hair, I heard him breath in sharply and realised he was holding his breath, waiting for my answer.
"I would like that." I managed to choke out.
He somehow managed to open the door and manoeuvre us through it, while he still had his arm across my back, as we walked through the main part of the building I kept my head down and hoped my dad would prevent me from banging into anything.
We stopped suddenly and a pair of big shiny shoes came into my view, I slowly lifted my head to meet Paul's annoying smirk, "Are you off home Chief?" He asked while staring at me. I really wanted to stick my tongue out at him, but resisted the urge.
"Yeah." Dad replied, "I should be back tomorrow sometime."
"Ok Chief." Paul replied then walked off swaying his hips as he went. I rolled my eyes behind his back, what a dickhead.
"Come on Bells lets go home." He said and then tightened his arm across my back as we walked out of the Police Station.
We drove home in the cruiser which despite had everyone staring as we passed them in the street, it made me smile as I remembered when I first moved here and he came to pick me up from the airport, back when life was a lot less complicated.
As we pulled up to the house, I hesitated slightly before getting out of the car. My dad waited for me on the edge of the path, "I won't bite I promise." He smiled at me as I slowly walked towards him. He wrapped his arm around me and ushered me up the path.
Once we entered the front door the smell of home hit me so hard I found it difficult to swallow as I now had the biggest lump in my throat, but the decor and furnishings had changed they looked fresher more modern, instead of the old furniture that my dad never threw out.
We walked into the kitchen, which was painted white, and the battered old peeling yellow cupboard doors were replaced by light-varnished wooden ones, the worktops were white marble and they now had all the mod cons you would expect from a new house, I looked at my dad with a raised eyebrow.
"What Sue wants she gets." He said with a deep blush on his face, so like mine.
He made us a coffee with their modern stainless steel coffee machine, while I sat at the kitchen table in the bay window looking out at trees.
I jumped when he set my mug down in front of me; he smiled apologetically, and then sat opposite me.
"I still cannot believe you are here." He said shaking his head sadly, "That you are actually willing to talk to me after all I put you through."
"We both did things we shouldn't have dad." I managed to croak out, trying my hardest not to breakdown again.
"Yeah but I was the adult," He sighed heavily, looking into his mug, "I was just thinking about my status and not about my daughter."
"I understood dad." I said reaching out to place my hand on his arm, "I knew it was a tricky situation."
"I should have stopped and listened though." He replied shaking his head his face showing the hurt and frustration.
"You hurt me." I said moving my hand from his arm and placing it with my other hand in my lap; I looked down at my now fidgeting hands and murmured softly, "I tried to make you listen but then when you hit me."
My dad made a strange, strangled sound, which made me look up at him. He was bent over his whole body shaking. I realised he was crying again, without thinking I stood up and rushed over to him and wrapped my arms around him, "I still love you dad." I whispered then I gently kissed the top of his head.
He somehow manoeuvred himself around and he wrapped his arms around me tightly as he sobbed and shook against me, I found myself crying again, the hurt was almost too painful to bear but at least we were talking and not shouting about it.
Once we had both calmed down again, I went back to my seat as my dad made us another coffee, "I am so proud of what you have achieved."
"Thank you." I said as I felt myself blush at his praise.
We were both silent as he finished making the coffee, I chose to look out the window again and to my surprise the sun had come out. Miracles do actually happen sometimes.
He set my mug down and asked, "Are you staying with Angela?"
"No." I replied, "I am staying with Rose and Emmett."
My dad looked up at me the shock evident on his face. "How the heck do you know them?" He asked.
"Rose was my room-mate at Dartmouth." I replied.
"So you know her twin?" He asked curiously.
"Jasper's my best friend." I reply with a genuine smile.
"Was there ever any funny business with you two?" He asked.
"Daaad." I protested blushing.
"Just asking Bells." He said holding his hands up in surrender.
"No," I reply, "He came into my life just when I needed a male influence and he has always been my rock."
"Oh." My dad looked slightly crestfallen by this bit of information, I knew it wasn't my fault but I still felt slightly guilty.
"Sorry." I said sadly.
"No." He protested, "I am glad you had someone there for you."
"Jasper and Rose are the best." I stated.
"You don't find her a little scary and intimidating?" He asked in a quiet voice.
"God no." I laughed at him, "You just have to know how to take her."
"I think even Carlisle is slightly scared of her." He said with a slight smirk.
"Most men are." I replied and returned his smirk with my own.
We just sat there smirk at each other when the front door banged against the wall and voices drifted into the kitchen and then Sue and Seth stormed into the kitchen with white plastic bags in their hands and the smell of Chinese floated through the air.
"I got Chinese for dinner." She said putting the bags down on the table in front of us, as the smell hit the back of my throat, my stomach grumbled in protest at being teased so blatantly. Making everyone laugh.
"I should get going." I said standing up.
"You will do no such thing." Sue told me blatantly, "You will have dinner with us."
"Ok." I felt slightly foolish.
"Why don't you and Charlie go into the lounge?" Sue suggested, "Seth and I will bring the dishes and food through."
"Mom." Seth protested and I winked at him and laughed.
The four of us all sat in the Lounge. Seth and I on the floor, dad and Sue on chairs as we sat and ate our Chinese. We talked so easily that it felt like had been here all the time and not absent for the last few years.
I stayed until late in the evening before I decided to make my way back to Rose and Emmett's. Charlie asked me to stay but I still felt slightly uncomfortable about doing that. Sue tried to talk me into staying part of my vacation by telling me that Leah would not be here until the day of the wedding and then she would be staying at Laurens. But I stood my ground telling them that I would come and visit most days while I was here.
We said our goodbyes and Seth bless him walked me back to Rose's.
"How are you doing?" I asked as we cuddled up close to each other.
"I am doing great." He said his voice full of the enthusiasm of youth.
"What are you doing?"
"I am a trainee biomedical scientist at Forks Hospital." He said proudly.
"What are you a trainee in?"
"Haematology." He said.
"Wow." I was impressed.
"I read your articles." He stated.
"You do?" I was surprised.
"Have those things really happened to you?"
"You know it."
"You are still you." He laughed.
"Unfortunately yes."
"Is there a man in your life?" He asked.
"No why? You interested?" I teased.
"What no." He choked out, "But I know someone who would be interested."
"I know Mike Newton's single again." I groaned out loud.
"What's that got to do with anything?" He sounded confused.
"I thought that's who you were getting at." I said and stopped to look at him, "Who then?"
"He would kill me if I told you."
"Seth you cannot do this to me." I moaned at him then slapped him before I started to walk again.
"Yeah I should not have said anything." He said shaking his head.
"If I asked you something would you tell me?" I asked.
"I am not telling you the guy's name that has got the hots for you."
"No I'm not bothered about that." I sighed, "Even though I am now intrigued."
"So what do you want to know?" He whispered.
"Do Jane and Alec still live in Forks?" I asked and cringed at myself for needing to know.
"Oh no they moved away a few years ago."
"Do you know where they moved to?"
"I don't know but I was still young when they left," He whistled, "Shit did they leave a mess."
"They did?"
"Yeah."
"What kind of mess?" I asked as my curiosity got the better of me.
"Bella," He said putting his hand on my shoulder, "Some things are better off left in the past."
"What happened to Mike's and Jessica's marriage?"
"Not for me to say."
"You work at the hospital right?"
"Yeah." He said cautiously.
"Why did Edward move to New York?"
"Shit Bella!" Seth exclaimed, "You really want to dig up some serious shit don't you?"
"So it was not good?"
"No it was bad." Seth said, "Carlisle hit him."
"His father hit him?" No way!
"Bella that guy was seriously fucked up by the time he left."
"Why?"
"Look you know him right ask him."
"Sorry." I said as we walked up Rose's garden path.
"It's fine." He said smiling at me as we stood outside the door, "It's great to have you back Bella."
"I have missed you Seth." I replied as he hugged me tightly to him.
"See you soon." He said and kissed the top of my head before he walked off.
When I walked into the house, Rose was on the phone, she put her finger to her lip to keep me quite. Emmett was watching some kind of sport on the TV.
I decided to get my cell and see if I needed to contact any one. When I retrieved it, I was surprise to find I had a new message from my secret admirer. I opened it.
Counting down the days until I see your beautiful smiling face once again. Your smile can brighten the darkest day. XXX.
I hugged my cell to my chest and gushed like a teenage girl with her first crush, but I could not resist sending one back.
Where I am, it rains constantly, damping my spirits. Won't you brighten my day and tell me who you are?
I took a couple of deep breathes before I pressed send. I then nearly dropped my cell when it beeped seconds later.
You will know soon enough. My sweet beautiful Bella.
I sighed and put my phone back into my handbag, just as Rose finished on the phone.
"Will you please ring Alice?" She complained, "I nearly told her you were here."
"So why didn't you?" I asked slightly confused, "What's the big secret?"
"Bella, Bella." Emmett said as he got off his chair and walked towards me, the patted me on the shoulder, "This is the first time ever I know something before them, please don't spoil it for me."
"And they are coming tomorrow?" I asked.
"Oh yeah." Emmett smiled widely, "We are going to Sam's Tavern tomorrow night."
"What but that's where Angela's party is going."
"Exactly." Emmett smiled.
"But I cannot be in the same room as him." I panicked.
"What are you talking about?" Rose said in her no nonsense tone.
"Edward told me to stay as far away from him as possible." I could feel the tears of frustration building up behind my eyes, "I promised him."
"He'll get over it." Rose told me.
"But what if he doesn't?" I asked the panic making my voice squeak.
"Bella calm down." Rose said, and then she changed the subject, "How did it go with your dad?"
"He wanted me to stay with them." I told her.
"But you don't want to?" She asked.
"I'm not ready for that."
"You can stay here as long as you like."
"Thank you." I smiled gratefully at her.
"I still cannot get my head around the fact that you are Chief Swan's daughter."
"I'm sorry I never talked about my dad." I said and felt slightly ashamed.
"Oh I understand." She replied putting her hand on my shoulder and gave me a sad smile.
"It just hurt too much to even think about this place."
"Like I said I do understand." Her tone changed.
"What's wrong?"
"Jasper." She replied.
"What about him?" Emmett asked.
"I don't know how he is going to take this news."
"I'll talk to him." I realised what she meant, Jasper knew more than Rose about my life with my dad and how he banished me from Forks but he did not know any names.
"Good," Rose said the relief evident in her voice.
I settled down next to Rose, rested my head on the back of the couch, and closed my eyes, just for a second.
"Oh, my god." Rose suddenly shouted. She made me jump out of my skin.
"What?" Emmett and I said at the same time.
"Oh this is going to be classic." Rose said with a big smile and rubbed her hands together, "Oh I cannot wait for Angela's wedding?"
"Rose what are you talking about?" Emmett asked.
"Emmett, think about Port Angeles."
I saw Emmett's face change as he tried to concentrate and then he suddenly looked at me and his eyes nearly popped out of his head, "Bella is it true your best friend was Jacob Black?" Emmett asked.
"Yeah, why?" I asked.
"Well I'll be damned." Emmett replied with the biggest grin I had ever seen.
"Exactly." Rose replied laughing.
They now stared at each other with matching grins, I groaned out loud and went to bed.
When I made it down to the kitchen the following morning, I found a house full. Angela, Rose and Esme were sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Sue and Jessica were sat in the lounge sorting out what looked like placement cards and favours.
As I walked into the kitchen Rose stood up and handed me a steaming cup of coffee, I grunted my thanks at her and made her laugh and shake her head.
"Once you've had your coffee we will head to the dressmakers to pick them up."
"Where are we taking them?" I asked.
"Well you will be staying at mine tonight." Angela told me, "But no getting drunk please."
"I will be on my best behaviour tonight."
"I know." Angela smiled evilly at me.
I drank my coffee and followed Angela out to the car. This was the busiest day I have had for a long time.
By the time we got back to Angela's I was absolutely exhausted and really did not feel like going back out, but it was Angela's last night as a single woman, so I had to make the effort.
After I had a shower and got dressed in jeans and t-shirt, I mean we were only going to the local bar, nothing special. My stomach felt like it had been tied in knots I was so damned nervous. I kept trying to tell myself it was because I was scared about how Edward would react about being in the same room as me. The truth was though that I was just so anxious to see him again, it was killing me.
When I got back down stairs after my shower, Rose threw a black t-shirt at me and told me to put it on. Written on the back of the t-shirt was 'Angela's Hens.' I groaned as I changed t-shirts and to add insult to injury we had to wear devil horns.
When I thought that this night could not get any worse, oh boy it did. We also had to do dares, which Alice in her absence devised. I really did not want to partake in this but I knew that there would be no getting out of it.
I noticed that all the police officers of Forks were in the bar, except for Ben and my dad. I also asked Rose, where Alice, Jasper and Edward were. When she told me that their flight had been delayed and they would be getting here in the early hours, I could not help but feel disappointed about the fact that I would not see them tonight.
When I had first walked in the bar, Emily and Sam would not leave me alone, wanting to know everything about my life until now. I was also drinking alcohol, much to Angela's dismay. Sam just kept topping my wine glass up. In the end I, just stopped drinking because if I carried on the way I was I would have drank a whole bottle of red wine.
So I decided to join the deputies at the pool table. I used to play with the gang all the time and I became very good at it, when I say very good I meant that none of the gang could beat me very often, but I had not played for quite a while.
I spent most of the night playing pool with the guys. I think I managed to piss Emmett off slightly because he thought he would be able to beat a girl. Eric and Jared were teasing Emmett mercilessly, much to his chagrin.
Paul was a totally different kettle of fish, in the past, he used to make snide comments, glare or even just lose his temper with me, but tonight he had not said two words to me. He just nodded at me when I walked in but other than that nothing. He was totally out of character. I mentioned it to Emily who just shrugged her shoulders at me and told me to ignore him. Which tried to, but every now and then, I would catch him looking at me and it un-nerved me slightly.
Then at the end of the night, when I thought I had got out of doing a dare. Jessica came up to me and gave me a card, I turned it over and it said, 'kiss a deputy.'
My first choice was Emmett but Rose came up and told me it had to be Paul. I looked behind Rose and glared at Angela who just shrugged her shoulders at me. I would get her for this one.
I was just plucking up courage to do the deed when he vanished. I turned to look at Angela's crew and lifted my shoulders as if to tell them I don't know what to do.
Rose came up to me and pushed me towards the toilets. "Go get him tiger." She teased and I just growled at her, making her laugh even more.
Luckily, the toilets were down a corridor, which hid them from bar area, I waited outside the men's room, feeling like a stalker, waiting for my prey. I felt so damned scared for some reason, like a lamb to the slaughter. Then the door opened.
Paul wasn't looking where he was going and ran straight into me, a whoosh of air escaped from his lips. I closed my eyes and cringed slightly, waiting for his anger. It surprised me when I felt his hands gently grab my arms, "Are you ok, Bella?" He asked in concern.
I looked up at him startled. Why was he being nice, he was never nice to me, "I'm fine." I replied.
"Good." He replied.
He still had hold of my arms as I shuffled my feet nervously, "Paul?"
"Yes Bella?" I could hear the smirk in his voice. Which made me look up into his dark tan coloured face, his dark brown eyes were twinkling.
"You know it's Angela's hen party?" I slurred, was I drunk?
"I think someone told me." He replied.
"Well we all have to do a dare."
"Ok." He waited.
"Well I've gottokissyou." I said in a rush.
"What?" He asked.
I took a big gulp of air, "My dare is to kiss you."
He laughed but it sounded slightly off. I looked up at him and he looked nervous.
"Ok." He swallowed making his Adams apple bob in and out. Then he placed his hands on either side of my face and gently pressed his lips against mine. I really did not want to respond but I did anyway.
When we pulled apart he rested his forehead on mine, his breathing slightly faster than normal fanned my face, he smelt of whisky and peppermint, "Thank you." He said as he dropped his hands and turned to walk away. I just watched him leave. What just happened?
I was still stood there when Angela and Rose came to find me. Apparently, Rose was staying at Angela's tonight as well. Emmett was keeping Ben company at their house, making sure he would be ready in time for the big event.
Once we made it back to Angela's I went straight to bed and I must have fallen asleep the moment my head hit the pillow, because the next thing I felt was the bed bouncing and actually sunlight through the window, in Forks.
"I'm getting married." Angela's overly excited voice cut through my sleep hazed mind.
"What time is it?" I mumbled.
"Who cares I'm getting married." She replied.
"I need coffee." I muttered rubbing my eyes and tried to focus on the target that needed eliminating.
"Just think by the time it gets dark tonight I will be Mrs Ben Cheney." She said dreamily, totally ignoring my request, no sorry demand for coffee. She had to die.
"Yeah, wonderful." I mumble sarcastically, I picked my pillow up hit her with it then settled my head back down to sleep.
"Bella!" Angela protested as she tried to prise the covers out of my tenacious grip."It's time to get up."
"Not until I get coffee." I demanded.
"Ok." She muttered, then left me in peace.
I must have drifted back to sleep because a pillow hitting me on the face wakes me up this time, I curse loudly.
"Wake up sleepy head." Rose's irritated voice wakes me slightly.
"Have I scared the bride off?" I mutter through my hair at her, "I told her I was not getting out of bed until I have coffee."
"That's good then." She told me as she holds a steaming mug in front of her and the smell of freshly grounded coffee hits my senses. My eyes open voluntary at the promise of coffee. But the bitch that she is withdraws it and takes a sip, "Aah, beautiful."
"Bitch." I mutter which just makes her laugh. She bends down to the floor and brings into view another steaming mug.
"There you go." She said with a smile.
I sat up then snatched the mug off her and placed it in front of my nose, sniffing up the aroma, then another smell hit me and I looked around the room, "Where are they?" I asked impatiently.
"What are you a sniffer dog?" Rose asked laughing.
"Yeah now give me the dough." I said.
"You need to get help." Rose laughed again and shook her head at me.
"Give me my Cinnamon and Apple is it?" I asked, not entirely sure.
"Bella you really do need help." Rose said shaking her head and passing me a muffin.
"These are homemade." I stated and looked at her in shock.
"No I didn't make them," Rose said sticking her tongue out at me, making me laugh.
"I thought not because I didn't hear the fire truck." I stated, this earned me a swipe across my arm.
"Once, that was all, once." Rose said shaking her head.
"Rose the instructions were on the dish on how to cook it." I told her laughing, "Does Emmett know?"
"What that I cannot cook?" She asked.
"No about you set fire to pizza?" I asked laughing.
"No one knows." She replied.
"Did you ever here from Royce again?" I asked.
"He rang recently but I ignored it." Rose said and I felt quilt how hurt she looked.
"You do love Emmett don't you?" I asked.
"Of course," She replied, "It was just lust with Royce."
"I cannot believe you got asked out by a Fireman who came to put out your pizza." I laughed hoping to take her mind off the bastard who tried to rape her.
"No that would be something you would do." She replied and she noticed how wide my eyes had become, "No Bella!"
"I wouldn't use any names I promise." I said, "It would only be a little story I mean I would not actually advise anyone to start a fire just to get a date."
"Please don't tell anyone it's me." She said.
"Do you really think I would?" I asked.
"No I suppose not." She said.
"Are you two coming down or what?" Angela shouted from down stairs.
"That's my queue to go." She said smiling.
"Are they here?" I asked and snatched the muffin out of Rose's hand.
"Yes, they got in about one this morning." She said and rolled her eyes at me.
"Good." I replied suddenly feeling the butterflies dancing in my stomach.
"Alice should be here soon, to help get you and Angela ready."
"Does she know I am here?" I asked.
"No." Rose said with a big genuine smile, "It's great she thinks you are some big hot shot from New York."
"By the way who's Ben's best man?" I asked.
"Who do you think it is?" She asked with a sly smile.
"It's Mike." I groaned and flopping my head back down on the pillow, today is going to be hell.
"I'm not saying." She replied the sly smile still in place, "Finish your muffin and coffee."
"Yeah, yeah." I waved her off then quickly downed both quickly.
I took a quick shower, my nerves were finally getting the better of me and I shook slightly. What if I fell in front of everyone, or tore my dress revealing my underwear or even worse, what if I stepped on Angela's dress and revealed her underwear. Why did I agree to something like this. Did I have to do a speech as well. I never thought to ask Angela. Shit!
After I got out of the shower, I quickly dried myself off, then started to apply my sparkling body lotion. That's when I heard her voice drift up, no one sounded quite like Alice, and her voice was quite and loud at the same time. God I missed her.
I quickly put my strapless bra and matching panties on, then eyed my dress suspiciously.
The colour was a midnight blue but in certain light, it looked almost purple. It was strapless, with a tight bodice, this actually made my breasts look bigger. A rolled piece of material made to look like a flower sat to the side of the waistline, then the skirt part was long and flowing, very girlie. The accessories were all silver to match how the marquee had been decorated. I wasn't sure what the men were wearing.
I knew if I put my dress on now that I would be in trouble, so I put on a white bathrobe, which was hung on the door under my dress, then I made my way down stairs.
I stood on the bottom step taking a few deep breaths trying to calm my nerves. I realised as I stood there, how many people I could actually hear. Angela's mom was there as well as Alice's mom. I took another deep breath then decided to join the party in the kitchen.
Angela turned to look at me, a sly smile on her face, "Oh here she is my maid of honour." She winked then turned to Alice, "Alice have you met my best friend since high school, Isabella?"
I glared at Angela as I walked into the kitchen then froze as I turned towards Alice.
If I hadn't been so nervous I would have laughed, because Alice had her I will be pleasant face on but I don't think I will really like you. I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
"Hel..." Alice's greeting died in her throat as her mouth opened widely and I could see the shock in her eyes. She tried saying something a couple of times. She looked at everyone around the room, trying to find out if she was going mad.
"I don't believe it." Rose broke the silence, "Alice Cullen speechless, miracles do happen."
Alice shot Rose a dirty look then turned back to me, her eyes narrowed almost to slits. I gulped. Then here eyes widened to their fullest, "Your Chief Swan's daughter!" She screeched running at me.
I tried to duck thinking she was going to hit me, but she just jumped on me and hugged me so tightly, it's surprising how much strength she has despite how small she is, "This is amazing, the best." She gushed.
"Alice loosen the death grip," I said trying to prise her off me slightly, "I'm struggling to breath here."
"Oh god Bella." She shouted in my ear nearly deafening me. She then abruptly let me go and turned to her mom proudly, "See I told you mom."
"Yes Alice you did." Esme smiled at her then it seemed to widen when she looked at me. I just shook my head in confusion.
"Oh this is so wonderful" Alice replied her voice getting louder and louder with every word, "I was really missing you and now your here in my home town, your home town."
"So it seems." I said feeling a little Alicewhelmed.
"We really need to talk but we have got to get you all ready." She said ushering us back up the stairs.
"Can I have another coffee?" I asked.
"Anyone else I would say no," She sighed, "but you, I dare not."
"I am not that bad." I pouted.
"Yes you are." Four people said together.
"Bella admit it you are a coffee junkie." Rose piped up.
"My name is Bella Swan and I am a Coffeeolic." I said to everyone and pretended to hang my head in shame.
"Get your coffee and get upstairs." Alice barked, "Once you have drunk it, brush your teeth."
"Yes master." I replied and saluted her.
"Go." She said literally pushing me up the stairs.
"Don't make me spill the coffee." I warned.
"Just drink the damned stuff." She laughed.
So after I finished my coffee, I quickly brushed my teeth and waited patiently in the spare room for Alice. The plan was to get Angela's dress on, do her hair. Then let her mother and Rose do her make-up. Esme would help where needed.
So Esme came to wait with me in my room.
"Alice talks about you all the time." She said as she sat next to me on the bed.
"She really is a different kind of roommate to Rose." I replied shaking my head.
"I can imagine." She laughed.
"Edward has mentioned you also." She stated.
"He has?" I asked in astonishment.
"Not by name, but I know who he means."
"We are not talking at the moment."
"I know." She replied and put her hand on my knee, "Bella my son tries to keep his feelings well hidden."
"Why?" I asked.
"Every time he gave his heart, they would stamp on it, smash it to pieces then return it," She sighed heavily, "He does not trust anyone with his heart."
"I know that feeling." I mutter.
"Sometimes thought feelings grow despite the barriers." She said, "He lo..."
Whatever she was going to say was cut off by Alice bursting in.
"The torture begins." I mutter under my breath making Esme laugh. Alice glared at me.
Alice made me wash my hair again, then she took over drying it, god she was rough.
"You can leave my head on if you like." I told her.
"I'm sorry." She replied, "The more I think about this situation the more agitated I get."
I took the towel off her and dragged her down to sit next to me on the bed, "What's the problem?" I asked.
"Jasper." She replied, "Does he know who your dad is?"
"No." I replied, "But I am going to have a word with him I promise."
"Oh shit," She said putting her fingers into her mouth, I quickly took them back out, "And he really liked Chief Swan."
"He still will." I replied.
"I don't think he will," Alice replied, "I'll have to keep him sober today."
"How will you manage that?" I asked.
"I will tell him he may be needed to take people home." She seemed deep in thought, "maybe I could tell Edward the same thing."
"Not going to happen." Rose piped up.
"No you're right." She replied, and then she looked at me shaking her head with a smile, "Always causing problems Bella."
"What have I got to do with Edward?" I asked, he wasn't my problem.
"Oh Bella," Alice replied shaking her head, "If only you knew."
She then started putting crap in my hair, changing the subject completely, so I could not ask her what she meant by that.
Two hours later, my head felt I like it had been in a box ring with Mike Tyson. I had false, midnight blue, nails and shoes that had the potential to kill me after two hours if I did not remove them, thank god for Sue.
I sniggered to myself a little too loudly making Alice and Esme stare at me as if I had grown an extra head or something. Alice then narrowed her eyes and glared at me, "Those shoes stay on your feet." She demanded.
I folded my arms over my chest like a two year old, how the hell did she know what I was planning?
Angela walked into the room and gushed, "You've done an amazing job."
"You look stunning Ang." I said with a big smile and tears in my eyes.
"Don't you dare make me cry." Alice warned as Angela hugged her.
Angela's dress was made of white satin with a V neckline and backline, off the shoulder small sleeves with spaghetti straps. An a-line skirt to the front with an empire waistline with a beaded design, but what really set the dress apart and made it that little more glamorous was the small organza pleated train at the back. Her bouquet was white roses, with a light blue sash holding them together. She decided against a veil and just wore a pearl tiara on her head. Her hair was put up like mine rolled and fastened tightly to the head with a few ringlets hanging down.
Angela's younger bridesmaids, her younger twin cousins both wore white lace dresses. They and I had silver combs in the hair and our bouquets were a mixture of white and light blue flowers with a midnight blue sash holding them together.
Alice looked pleased with herself, "Bella's hair was a nightmare to do." She complained, "It's so thick."
"It's not my fault." I moaned back.
"Ha! Just think what fun you are going to have washing it tomorrow." Rose sniggered.
I gave her the deadeye as she looked at her watch, "We better get going."
"Thanks for everything." Angela said smiling tearfully at Alice then gave her another big hug. They were still hugging when Angela's mom walked in. As Alice started to walk out the room, I decided to follow her downstairs to give mother and daughter a private moment.
"How are you feeling?" Alice asked me as we walked down stairs.
"I am so damned nervous and I don't know why."
"Maybe it's because of one of the wedding guests." Alice supplied.
"Who?" I asked and tried to play dumb.
"You know who."
"Ok so I like him." I said in a huff, "There I have admitted it are you happy."
"Maybe." She laughed as I followed her to the door, "He feels the same way about you."
"So why did he tell me to leave him alone?" I shot back at her.
"Because he's fighting his attraction to you."
"Well that makes me feel so much better." I complained.
"I think something will happen today," She said thoughtfully, "I think it will blow your mind if you let it."
"Have you already been drinking?" I asked.
"Look I have to go." She said hugging me close, "You look amazing Bella."
"You would say that it's all your handy work." I laughed feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"One day you will accept a complement." She said, "I know someone who won't be able to take his eyes off you anyway."
"Yeah, yeah." I said shooing her out of the house. Esme and Rose were already waiting inside the car for her. I waved them off then closed the door.
Angela and her mom had finally made it down stairs and I could tell that they had both been crying, luckily Angela was wearing waterproof mascara. Then Angela's mother wanted a photo of all the bridesmaids, god I hate my photo being taken.
We were all stood around waiting for the cars to arrive, Angela's dad was being picked up from the church. When I first found this out I laughed wondering where we were having the wedding. As it turns out the wedding is in the Cullen's back yard. The advantages of being a clergyman's daughter.
The first car arrived and Angela's mother fused over her daughter one last time, gave her a quick hug and kiss before ushering me and the other bridesmaids into the car with her. My palms were getting clammy and my stomach felt like butterflies were doing sommersaults in it. I rested my hand on the roof of the black limo took a deep breath and as I got in I thought 'It's show time!'
Thank you for reading this I hope you enjoy it as much as the last chapters. The good news is I am having it checked for errors by Project Team Beta, chapter by chapter at the moment it is just the preface that has been done. I thought I would carry on posting, until it is caught up.
Thank you for any anonymous reviews, as I cannot reply to them, I do like to try and reply to all reviews.
I am hoping to get the next chapter posted next week.
